Ruben Studdard gives Valerie Simpson his 'Unconditional Love'

Thursday

Jan 30, 2014 at 6:58 PM

The Sugar Bar was recently the scene of the kick-off for Ruben Studdard's new David Foster-produced album, "Unconditional Love."

We interviewed Ruben about a month ago, and found him to be a wise and jovial man — humble and excited by this latest phase of his career. (He became famous back in 2003 when he won "American Idol." That's when "American Idol" really meant something.) He was all duded up in a beautifully tailored suit and looked even trimmer than when we spoke last. Ruben laughed, "I'm still watching my weight, but I'll never be skinny. I work out. I keep it solid!"

Ruben sang four songs from his new CD, and was joined for one of those by Lalah Hathaway. But the best was yet to come. Valerie Simpson was up on her feet, applauding with the rest of the packed house, as Ruben's set came to an end. Then the crowd began to call for Valerie to get onstage and sing with Ruben. She declined, "I am not rehearsed. I can't do this!" The prevailing attitude was too bad; do as we say! And so she did. Ruben looked like he might pass out from pleasure.

Valerie sat at the piano with one more caution to the audience — "Don't hate me if this sounds bad. I'm not prepared" — she and Ruben launched into a spine-tingling rendition of "You're All I Need to Get By," first made famous by Marvin Gaye, and then re-invented by Ashford and Simpson many years ago. Ruben sounded great, but Valerie made the years melt away with her own voice, seemingly untouched by time. She, and the audience, was obviously moved by this duet. The ovation could have been heard all the way downtown.

The Sugar Bar is small and has the feeling of one of those smoky little clubs of the '50s/'60s where you heard soulful sounds unencumbered by microphones that were too loud and fancy effects designed to disguise vocal weaknesses.

Ruben's "Unconditional Love" debuts on Feb. 4, in time for Valentine's Day.

Last week we wrote about Linda Yellin's new novel "What Nora Knew" and strongly recommended it as a fun read. Now we are told that Linda, who lives by the Ephron dicta, asked the crowd at Broadway's Barnes and Noble to throw their hands up in the air and yell "We love Nora!"